Dear Editor: Human trafficking was in the news more in 2025 than ever before, but many of us think that this is something that doesn’t – that couldn’t – happen in our community. Unfortunately, that’s not reality, even in our lovely city of Sitka. “Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purposes of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. When a person younger than 18 is induced to perform a commercial sex act, it is a crime regardless of whether there is any force, fraud, or coercion.” (www.dol.gov)
Considered a hidden crime, sex trafficking in Alaska often occurs when a vulnerable person is trafficked by a family member, family friend, “trusted” adult, or online “friend.” Most trafficking in our state is not the “snatch and grab” type that is often portrayed in movies.
The Alaska Governor’s Council on Human and Sex Trafficking states, “There is no typical victim and there is no typical trafficker. Victims of human trafficking can be of any race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Likewise, human traffickers can be gang members, diplomats, business owners, labor brokers, farmers, or fishermen. Alaska is not immune to human trafficking and in fact studies show that Alaska Native youth are more likely to be disproportionately affected by human trafficking.”
Adam Legg, executive director of Love Alaska, notes that there are a lot of vulnerable youths in Alaska who are prime targets for exploitation by traffickers, “We all know that rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, suicide, mental health issues in our state – these all create vulnerable people that traffickers can easily prey on.”
You can make a difference by first acknowledging that there is a trafficking problem, educating yourself about trafficking in Alaska by (www.dps.alaska.gov/CHST/Home), and supporting efforts to help vulnerable people. This includes being a positive, healthy role model for young people in your life. We can bring change!
Sitka’s Human Trafficking Awareness Coalition
